Seven Spanish cricket coaches attended an ECB Coaching Assistant course held in La Manga, Spain on the 20th and 21st January. The course, organised by Neil Brook, Director of Junior Cricket for Spain, was a great success, with all coaches completing and gaining a pass.

The course took a new format, replacing the old Level 1 course with the new ECB Coaches Assistant Course. The programme itself consists of four three-hour modules and a final assessment and is aimed at beginner coaches to enable them to assist more qualified coaches during coaching sessions.

Dave Gelling, who currently works as a coach for ECC and Hampshire County Cricket Club was the course tutor.

Neil Brook reports “the course went extremely well over the weekend, Dave handled the course in a very professional way and feedback from trainees was excellent.

“The change from the old Level 1 to the new ECB Coaching assistant course suited our trainee coaches as Spain is putting more emphasis on recruiting parents and volunteers as well as seasoned cricketers.”

The coaches, although now much better prepared to take on the world of cricket coaching, will not be left to fend for themselves. Neil assures that AEC will follow up on all trainees who took part in the course and will assist them with their new coaching roles in Spain

Coach Dave Gelling commented on the success of the course saying, “The excellent facilities (which are already in use for ECC Academy and Tournaments), perfect sunny weather, generous hospitality and good quality villa accommodation ensured that this course was enjoyable and worthwhile.

“I was able to meet key figures involved in the development of the game in Spain and my thanks go to Neil Brook for his organisation of this great weekend.

He added, “I hope that all the candidates remain involved in Colts coaching & continue with the positive aspects I experienced during my brief stay.”

“From a coaching standpoint it is great to see how Spain is developing and driving forward and that there are new people who are becoming increasingly involved in coaching in Spain.

“If coaches remain active and try to increase school involvement then popularity will increase naturally. By promoting the game at a local level and encouraging more Spanish born players to become involved in coaching, umpiring and developing the game you will also see the popularity rise."

Spain is looking at running more courses in future and believes this style of course demonstrates to beginners valuable coaching techniques suitable for Spanish Cricket.

The Spanish Cricket Association is hosting its first ever ECC outdoor tournament (Under 15 2nd Division) at La Manga from the 24th-30th August.